Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Grade 9 Up–Johnson begins this exceptional novel in a lightweight fashion but quickly segues into more serious issues that affect the three young women who make up the Bermudez Triangle. It is the summer before their senior year in Saratoga Springs, NY. At first, organized, serious Nina has trouble adjusting to her leadership workshop at Stanford University. Although she desperately misses Avery and Mel, who are waitresses at a restaurant back home, she quickly falls head over heels for eco-warrior Steve, who has grown up in a commune on the West Coast–so different from Nina's secure middle-class experience. When she returns to New York, she immediately senses that Mel and Avery are keeping secrets and soon discovers that they have become lovers. Rocked to the core, Nina wishes them happiness, but feels excluded and lonely, especially as her long-distance relationship begins to deteriorate. As is typical for teens, the girls obsess ad nauseam over their romantic relationships. Yet this narrow focus lends authenticity to the narrative, and readers become drawn into the characters' lives as they stumble toward adulthood, fall in and out of love, enlarge their circle of friends, and rethink their values.

Review:

"American-born Rory Deveaux — London schoolgirl by day, hunter of serial-killer ghosts by night — is back in the second installment in Johnson's Shades of London series. Rory is still recovering from being stabbed by the Ripper ghost at the end of The Name of the Star, while trying to understand her newfound 'destroying-the-dead-with-a-single-touch' ability. Despite Rory's initial skittishness about returning to her London boarding school, she is thrilled to see old friends and her boyfriend, as well as reconnect with Stephen and the rest of the ghost-hunting arm of the London police force. A new murder is committed right off the bat, but the first half of the book is mainly about Rory's therapy and trauma recovery. While this slows the narrative a tad, Rory's internal monologue sparkles with the wit that Johnson's fans (and most of Twitter) will recognize, which is plenty entertaining. The second half will satisfy readers' craving for what they came for — Rory's investigation of London's latest ghost crimes — while laying tragic groundwork for the next book. Ages 12 — up. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, kt literary." Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Synopsis:

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Synopsis:

The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series

Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rorys classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that Charlottes in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming.

Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, theyll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself—and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.

"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"American-born Rory Deveaux — London schoolgirl by day, hunter of serial-killer ghosts by night — is back in the second installment in Johnson's Shades of London series. Rory is still recovering from being stabbed by the Ripper ghost at the end of The Name of the Star, while trying to understand her newfound 'destroying-the-dead-with-a-single-touch' ability. Despite Rory's initial skittishness about returning to her London boarding school, she is thrilled to see old friends and her boyfriend, as well as reconnect with Stephen and the rest of the ghost-hunting arm of the London police force. A new murder is committed right off the bat, but the first half of the book is mainly about Rory's therapy and trauma recovery. While this slows the narrative a tad, Rory's internal monologue sparkles with the wit that Johnson's fans (and most of Twitter) will recognize, which is plenty entertaining. The second half will satisfy readers' craving for what they came for — Rory's investigation of London's latest ghost crimes — while laying tragic groundwork for the next book. Ages 12 — up. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, kt literary." Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,

The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series

Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rorys classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that Charlottes in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming.

Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, theyll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself—and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.

Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and gifts — here at Powells.com.